PORT ANGELES — The cause of the short power outage and downed powerlines along the Tumwater Truck Route on Wednesday afternoon is still unknown.
Port Angeles Public Works Director Mike Healy said that an electrical line had snapped and come down on top of another line, causing that one to crack and fall to the ground and blowing at least one transformer at the Tumwater Truck Route and Marine Drive intersection.
“It’s just one of those freak things that happen sometimes,” Healy said.
“Sometimes it could be caused by an animal that crawls across or flies into the line, a tree branch falling —it could be any number of things.
“I haven’t got the full report yet, but when I was out there for a bit yesterday, the guys were busy and I was just making sure they were staying safe.”
When the live wires fell to the ground, one line sparked a small brush fire near the Port Angeles Boat Haven.
“There was a small brush fire, about 10 by 10, and the guys from the nearby tire shop got that under control while waiting for Port Angeles Fire Department to arrive,” Healy said.
Apart from the small fire, no damages were reported due to the outages or the downed lines.
The outage happened at about 4:15 p.m. and prompted the closing of the Tumwater Truck Route for about three hours.
“We reopened the Truck Route at about 7 p.m. and power was completely restored at about 7:15 p.m.,” Healy said.
Port Angeles Public Works replaced both lines.
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Reporter Ken Park can be reached at kpark@peninsuladailynews.com.
